Protective device for load unit

ABSTRACT

A protective device comprising a first protective element associable with a first load unit including a first lateral wall provided with an internal surface intended to be positioned against a sidewall of the first load unit, a second protective element associable with the second load unit including a first lateral wall provided with an internal surface, and an upper wall provided with a lower surface orthogonal and contiguous to the internal surface of the first lateral wall, and wherein, in use, the internal surface of the first lateral wall of the first protective element and the internal surface of the first lateral wall of the second protective element are arranged in the same plane and adhere at least partly to the sidewall of the first load unit and to the sidewall of the second load unit respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a protective device for load unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, goods intended for distribution are stored in load units inside warehouses. Load units consist of packages, containing the goods to be stored, arranged in several layers and supported by a pallet. The use of pallets allows staff to efficiently move the load units, by means of e.g. a forklift, for storage inside the warehouse.

In order to stabilize the packages on the pallet, frame structures made of various materials, such as e.g. cardboard, are usually used and arranged along the perimeter on the sides of the load unit and finally joined together to strengthen the structures.

Usually, the load units are stored one on top of the other together with the pallets to optimize the space inside transport compartments or, alternatively, warehouses. However, this arrangement is particularly unstable and dangerous. In fact, the storage and alignment procedures substantially depend on the experience and skill of the forklift driver who has to move the pallet exactly on top of the load unit underneath.

On the other hand, the frame structures, although they stabilize the individual packages on each pallet, do not help solve the problem of possible misalignment. Storage is therefore an extremely delicate operation which, if badly carried out, can also result in the load units falling with consequent breakage of the goods contained therein and consequent danger for forklift operators.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it has been envisaged to solve the aforementioned problems by making a protective device for load unit configured to position at the corners of each load unit to protect the corners of the load unit and to strengthen the frame structure used to stabilize the load unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protective device which is able to make the alignment guides for the upper load units. In this way, it is possible to facilitate vertical space optimization and storage operations, thus enabling stable arrangement of the load units one on top of the other.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a protective device which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present protective device for load unit having the characteristics of claim 1.

According to a further object, the present invention relates to an assembly kit for the protection a load unit having the characteristics of claim 10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a protective device, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a protective device associated with two load units according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views of the protective device in one embodiment;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are perspective views of the protective device in a further embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the protective device in FIG. 5 associated with a load unit;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the protective device in a further embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the protective device in FIG. 9 ;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the first protective element of the protective device in FIG. 9 ;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of the second protective element of the protective device in FIG. 9 ;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are perspective views of the protective elements of a further embodiment of the protective device.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, a protective device positioned between two load units U according to the present invention has been globally referred to by letter D.

By load unit U is meant one or more packages, containing the goods to be stored inside a warehouse, arranged on a pallet to be easily movable and storable inside a warehouse.

It should be noted that, within the present disclosure, the term “storable” relates to the storage and preservation of products and the optimization in height of the same.

On the whole, the load units U have a substantially parallelepiped shape in which a bottom F and an upper side S are identified which are substantially rectangular and parallel to each other, and a first sidewall L1 and a second sidewall L2 contiguous to each other and of substantially rectangular shape. In particular, the first sidewall L1 has a lower edge B1 in common with the bottom F and an upper edge B3 in common with the upper side S, while the sidewall L2 has a lower edge B2 in common with the bottom F and an upper edge B4 in common with the upper side S.

Additionally, the sidewalls L1, L2 have a lower corner A1 in common with the bottom F and an upper corner A2 in common with the upper side S.

In the context of the following disclosure, the adjectives “internal”, “external”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “upper” and “lower” are intended to relate to the conditions of normal use of the protective device D, i.e., those shown in FIG. 1 wherein the protective device D is assembled on a pair of load units D stacked on top of each other.

With reference to the attached figures, the protective device D is positionable between a first load unit U and a second load unit U to space them away from each other and help centering one load unit U on top of the other during, e.g., the movement and transport operations of the units by a forklift driver.

For this purpose, the protective device D comprises a first protective element 1 associable with the first load unit U, considered in the following of the present description as an upper load unit, and a second protective element 5 associable with the second load unit U considered as a lower load unit.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , the first protective element 1 comprises a first lateral wall 2 provided with an internal surface 20 intended to be positioned against the sidewall L1 of the upper load unit U and an external surface 21 substantially parallel to the internal surface 20. In the remainder of the present description, the first protective element 1 may also be indistinctly referred to as the upper element 1.

Preferably, the first lateral wall 2 has a substantially rectangular shape in which four edges orthogonal to each other are identified: a lower edge 22, an upper edge 23, and a first lateral edge 24 and a second lateral edge 25.

The second protective element 5 (or otherwise referred to as the “lower element”) comprises a first lateral wall 6 provided with an internal surface 60 intended to be positioned against the sidewall L1 of the lower load unit U and an external surface 61 substantially parallel to the internal surface 60.

Preferably, the first lateral wall 6 of the second protective element 5 has a shape substantially similar to the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 in which four edges 62, 63, 64 and 65 orthogonal to each other are identified.

The lower element 5 also comprises an upper wall 8 arranged, in use, horizontally and provided with a lower surface 80 orthogonal and contiguous to the internal surface 60 of the first lateral wall 6 and intended to be positioned against the upper edge B3 of the second load unit U, and an upper surface 81 substantially parallel to the lower surface 80.

Preferably, the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5 has a shape substantially similar to the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 in which four edges 82, 83, 84 and 85 orthogonal to each other are identified. In detail, the upper edge 63 of the first lateral wall 6 is joined to the first edge 82 of the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5 whereby the lower surface 80 of the upper wall 8 and the internal surface 60 of the first lateral wall 6 make a seat 50 intended to be positioned at the edge B3 of the lower load unit U.

Advantageously, the first element 1 and the second element 5 are usable in combination with each other in a work configuration in which they are associated with the load units U to make, in actual facts, alignment guides for the upper load unit U. In particular, in a work configuration, the first element 1 and the second element 5 of the protective device D are positioned so that the internal surface 20 of the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 and the internal surface 60 of the first lateral wall 6 of the lower element 5 are arranged in the same plane and adhere at least partly to the sidewall L1 of the upper load unit U and to the sidewall L1 of the lower load unit U. The upper wall 8 of the lower element 5 is intended to be positioned between the bottom F of the first load unit U and the upper side S of the second load unit U to at least partly separate the load units U from each other.

In particular, the lower edge 22 of the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 is joined to the upper edge 63 of the first lateral wall 6 and to the first lateral edge 82 of the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5 so that, in the work configuration, the protective device D has a substantially “T” shape that is easy to use.

In this embodiment, shown e.g. in FIG. 2 , it is thus possible to distribute one or more protective devices D along the sidewalls of the load unit U. By arranging the protective device D in the work configuration between the upper load unit U and the lower load unit U, it is possible to make guides to align the sidewalls L1 of the load units U with each other during the movement thereof

According to one embodiment, the lower element 5 may further comprise a second lateral wall 7. This lateral wall 7 is substantially orthogonal to the first lateral wall 6 and to the upper wall 8 so that the seat 50 is intended to be positioned at an upper corner A2 of the lower load unit U. In detail, the second lateral wall 7 has an internal surface 70 contiguous to the internal surface 60 of the first lateral wall 6 and an external surface 71 substantially parallel to the internal surface 70. In particular, the walls 6, 7, 8 of the lower element 5 have a common upper apex 51.

Preferably, the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5 has a shape substantially similar to the first lateral wall 6 in which four edges 72, 73, 74 and 75 are identified transverse to each other.

Specifically, the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5 has a shape substantially similar to the first lateral wall 6 in which four edges 72, 73, 74, and 75 are identified orthogonal to each other.

Specifically, the upper edge 73 of the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5 is joined to the third lateral edge 84 of the upper wall 8 and the lateral edge 74 is joined to the first lateral edge 64 of the first lateral wall 6 of the lower element 5.

Conveniently, in the work configuration, the internal surface 70 of the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5 is intended to adhere to the second sidewall L2 of the lower load unit U.

According to a further embodiment, the upper element 1 also comprises a second lateral wall 3. Such a lateral wall 3 is substantially orthogonal to the first lateral wall 2 so as to create a seat 10 intended to be positioned at the lower corner A1 of the lower load unit U.

In detail, the second lateral wall 3 has an internal surface 30 contiguous to the internal surface 20 of the first lateral wall 2 and an external surface 31 substantially parallel to the internal surface 30.

Preferably, the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1 has a shape substantially similar to the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 in which four edges 32, 33, 34 and 35 orthogonal to each other are identified. In particular, the first lateral edge 34 and the lower edge 32 of the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1 are joined, respectively, to the first lateral edge 24 of the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 and to the third lateral edge 84 of the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5.

Conveniently, in the work configuration, the internal surface 30 of the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1 is intended to adhere to the second sidewall L2 of the upper load unit U and is arranged in the same plane as the internal surface 70 of the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5.

In this way, by positioning the protective device D at the corners A1, A2 of the load units U, it is possible to actually create guides to align both sidewalls L1, L2 of the load units U with each other.

According to a further embodiment shown in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper element 1 comprises a lower wall 4. Such a lower wall 4 is substantially orthogonal to the first lateral wall 2 and to the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1.

In detail, the lower wall 4 has an internal surface 40 contiguous to the internal surface 20 of the first lateral wall 2 and an external surface 41 substantially parallel to the internal surface 40. In particular, the walls 2, 3, 4 of the upper element 1 have a lower apex 11 in common.

Preferably, the lower wall 4 of the lower element 5 has a shape substantially similar to the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 in which four edges 42, 43, 44 and 45 orthogonal to each other are identified. In particular, the first lateral edge 42 and the third lateral edge 44 of the lower wall 4 of the upper element 1 are joined to the lower edge 22 of the first lateral wall 2 and to the lower edge 32 of the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1, respectively.

Conveniently, in the work configuration, the lower wall 4 of the upper element 1 is intended to be positioned between the bottom F of the first load unit U and the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5.

In this embodiment, the lower edges 22, 32 of the first lateral wall 2 and of the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1 are at least partly separated from the upper edges 63, 73 of the first lateral wall 6 and of the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5 such that the upper element 1 is at least partly separated from the lower element 5.

Conveniently, the apices 11, 51 of the first element 1 and of the second element 5 are partly joined together at a point of union 12 so that the upper element 1 and the lower element 5 can rotate around the point of union 12 to switch from a home configuration to a work configuration.

In detail, when the protective device D is positioned at an upper corner A2 of the lower load unit U, as shown in the example of FIG. 8 , once the upper load unit U is stored on the lower load unit U, the elements 1, 5 of the protective device D are rotated to arrange themselves in the work configuration, as shown in the example of FIG. 1 .

According to the embodiments shown in the examples in FIGS. 2 to 8 , each upper element 1 and lower element 5 of the protective device D may be made, by way of example, of rigid cardboard.

In a further embodiment, the lower edge 32 of the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1 is joined to the upper edge 73 of the second lateral wall 7 of the lower element 5 so that it can rotate around an axis passing through the edges 32, 73.

Similarly, the lower edge 22 of the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 is joined to the upper edge 63 of the first lateral wall 6 of the lower element 5 so that it can rotate around an axis passing through the edges 22, 63.

In this way, advantageously, the lateral walls 2, 3 of the upper element 1 are independently rotatable with respect to each other to position the first element 1 and the second element 5 in the work configuration.

In one embodiment shown in the examples of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 , the lower wall 4 of the upper element 1 comprises two portions 4 a, 4 b separate from each other along a cut line. In particular, the cut line extends from the lower apex 11 along the diagonal of the lower wall 4.

Preferably, the two portions 4 a, 4 b serve as a support for the upper load unit U and have an elongated shape substantially in the form of a rectangular trapezoid. Conveniently, the first portion 4 a of the lower wall 4 of the upper element 1 is joined to the lower edge 22 of the first lateral wall 2 of the upper element 1 and is arranged substantially orthogonal to the first lateral wall 2. The second portion 4 b of the lower wall 4 is joined to the lower edge 32 of the second lateral wall 3 of the upper element 1 and is arranged substantially orthogonal to the second lateral wall 3.

In this way, by rotating the portions 4 a, 4 b of the lower wall 4 it is possible to rotate the lateral walls 2, 3 to arrange them in the work configuration.

Advantageously, in the work configuration, the first portion 4 a and the second portion 4 b of the lower wall 4 of the upper element 1 are arranged in the same plane and intended to be positioned between the bottom F of the upper load unit U and the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5.

In detail, when the protective device D is positioned at the upper corner A2 of the lower load unit U after the upper load unit U has been stored on the lower load unit U, the portions 4 a, 4 b, and the lateral walls 2, 3 with them, are rotated to arrange the protective device D in the work configuration.

According to the embodiment shown in the examples in FIGS. 9 to 17 , the upper element 1 and the lower element 5 are separate pieces joinable to each other in a removable manner. Preferably, each upper element 1 and lower element 5 of the protective device D may be made of a single body piece.

Conveniently, the protective device D comprises connecting means 9 to connect the first protective element 1 to the second protective element 5 in a removable manner.

Appropriately, the connecting means 9 comprise at least one centering tooth 90 made on one of either the first protective element 1 and the second protective element 5, and at least one housing seat 91 made on the other of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 2 and in which the centering tooth 90 is insertable by interlocking.

Conveniently, the centering tooth 90 and the housing seat 91 are configured to create a shape coupling between them in order to join the first protective element 1 to the second protective element 5 in a removable manner

In particular, the centering tooth 90 is arranged internally to one of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 5.

In this case, the term “internal” is intended to indicate the fact that it faces, in use, towards the load unit U, while the term “external” is intended to indicate the fact that it faces the opposite direction from the load unit U.

Preferably, the centering tooth 90 has an elongated shape and the housing seat 91 has a hollow conformation of a substantially complementary shape to the centering tooth 90.

Preferably, the housing seat 91 and the centering tooth 90 have a rack notching 94, 95 so as to make a snap-fit coupling of the connecting means 9.

The joining of the protective elements 1, 5 is achieved by making the upper element 1 slide linearly with respect to the lower element 5 so that the housing seat 91 receives the centering tooth 90.

According to one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9-14 , the centering tooth 90 is obtained on one of either the lower wall 4 of the first protective element 1 or the upper wall 8 of the second protective element 5 and the housing seat 91 of the centering tooth 90 is obtained on the other of either the lower wall 4 of the first protective element 1 or the upper wall 8 of the second protective element 5.

Preferably, the centering tooth 90 is obtained on the first protective element 1 and the housing seat 91 is obtained on the second protective element 5.

In detail, advantageously, the centering tooth 90 is obtained on the lower wall 4 of the first protective element 1, and the housing seat 91 is obtained on the upper wall 8 of the second protective element 5.

Preferably, the housing seat 91 is obtained along a portion of the upper wall 8 of the lower element 5 along its diagonal from the apex 51 outwardly. Similarly, the centering tooth 90 is obtained along the diagonal of the lower wall 4 of the upper element 1 from the apex 11 outwardly.

In such an embodiment, the linear sliding of the centering tooth 90 on the housing seat 91 is preferably made and facilitated by means of lateral fins 92, 93 in a step fashion, which can be engaged on respective slots serving as guides obtained in the upper surface 81 of the lower element 5. In this way, the separation of the joined elements 1, 5 is possible if and only if the upper element 1 slides horizontally with respect to the lower element 5. Substantially, by means of the special configuration of such connecting means 9 a possible vertical separation of the elements 1, 5 is avoided.

According to another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 15-17 , the centering tooth 90 is arranged substantially transverse to the lateral walls 2, 3, 6, 7 of one of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 5 and lies in a median plane passing through one of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 5 to define an upper portion 1 a and a lower portion 1 b respect to the centering tooth 90.

Appropriately, one of either the upper portion 1 a or the lower portion 1 b is adapted to adhere in abutting way to the sidewall of one of the load units U, and the other of either the upper portion 1 a or the lower portion 1 b is adapted to adhere in abutting way to the other of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 5.

This solution makes it possible to at least partly overlap the first protective element 1 and the second protective element 5 so that, in this overlapping area, it is possible to wind a connecting strap around the protective device D to strengthen the connection between the protective elements 1, 5. In detail, the connecting strap is any flexible tie-rod used to connect different protective devices D together.

For this purpose, one of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 5 has at least one groove 26 arranged at one of either the upper portion 1 a or the lower portion 1 b.

The groove 26 is adapted to receive the strap to guide it by winding around one of either the upper portion 1 a or the lower portion 1 b.

With reference to the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 17 , the groove 26 is obtained at the lower portion 1 b of the first protective element 1.

In this case, the centering tooth 90 is obtained on the first protective element 1. In such a case, the lower portion 1 b of the first protective element 1 is adapted to adhere in abutting way to the second protective element 5, overlapping the latter.

Since the groove 26 is obtained at the lower portion 1 b, the winding of the strap around the groove 26 allows both the first protective element 1 and the second protective element 5 to be tightened.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 15-17 , the connecting means 9 comprise:

-   -   at least one pair of lateral teeth 27, 28 arranged opposite each         other, the centering tooth 90 being arranged centrally with         respect to the lateral teeth 27, 28; and     -   a pair of lateral seats 96, 97 opposite each other, the housing         seat 91 being arranged centrally with respect to the lateral         seats 96, 97.

In particular, the centering tooth 90 is positioned between the pair of lateral teeth 27, 28, and the housing seat 91 is positioned between the pair of lateral seats 96, 97.

Conveniently, each of the lateral teeth 27, 28 is configured to fit substantially to size in a respective lateral seat 96, 97 to achieve a shape coupling between them.

Such a conformation of the connecting means 9 makes it possible to create a more effective connection between the first protective element 1 and the second protective element 5 by ensuring the centering of the first protective element 1 on the second protective element 5 and avoiding the unintentional escape of the centering tooth 90 and of the lateral teeth 27, 28 from their respective housing seats 91 and from the lateral seats 96, 97.

Appropriately, the centering tooth 90 is obtained at the corner defined by the union of the lateral walls 2, 3, 6, 7 of at least one of either the first protective element 1 or the second 5 protective element and the pair of lateral teeth 27, 28 being obtained on one of the lateral walls 2, 3, 6, 7, respectively.

In detail, the corner is defined by the union between the first lateral edge 24, 34, 64, 74 of the first lateral wall 2, 6 and of the second lateral wall 3, 7 of the respective protective element 1, 5.

Conveniently, as shown in FIG. 16 , at least one of either the first protective element 1 or the second protective element 5 comprises at least one supporting element 98 associated externally with the corner of one of either the upper portion 1 a or the lower portion 1 b and adapted to receive the connecting strap to constrain it to one of either the upper portion 1 a or the lower portion 1 b.

In particular, the supporting element 98 operates in conjunction with the groove to guide the connecting strap winding around the lower portion 1 b.

Preferably, the supporting element 98 has a slit through which the connecting strap is fitted.

Even more preferably, the supporting element 98 is of the “clip” type.

Appropriately, the supporting element 98 is at least partly obtained on the corner to divert the connecting strap between two directions parallel to the lateral walls 2, 3, 6, 7, respectively.

Preferably, each upper element 1 and lower element 5 of the protective device D shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 9-14 is made of polymeric material.

Alternatively, each upper element 1 and lower element 5 of the protective device D shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 9-14 is made of a material selected from the list comprising: paper, compressed wood chips, or die-cast metal.

Advantageously, at least one of the walls 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 of at least one of the protective elements 1, 5 comprises at least one containment seat 99 adapted to receive a stiffening profile of one of the load units U.

It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of the present disclosure that the walls of each element 1, 5 may be provided with knurling or fastening teeth or, alternatively, may be inclined.

The term “stiffening profile” relates to a profiled element, such as a bar or beam, mounted on the load unit U to strengthen and stiffen the structure thereof.

In particular, at least one wall 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 of at least one of the protective elements 1, 5 is at least partly hollow to obtain the containment seat 99. Furthermore, such a wall 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 comprises at least one inlet opening 19 of the stiffening profile inside the containment seat 99.

Preferably, the inlet opening 19 is obtained around the perimeter of the wall 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 at least one free edge.

Specifically, the term “free edge” means an edge of the respective wall 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 that is not joined to another wall 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8.

Preferably, the containment seat 99 is adapted to receive a stiffening profile of the “L” type.

To this end, the containment seat 99 is at least partly formed at a pair of contiguous walls 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 of at least one protective element 1, 5.

In particular, the pair of contiguous walls 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 have cavities communicating with each other so as to obtain a substantially “L” shaped containment seat 99.

Furthermore, the inlet opening 19 is obtained along the free edges of the at least two contiguous walls 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 arranged transversely aligned with each other in order to achieve a substantially L-shaped inlet opening 19.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15 , the upper wall 8 and the second lateral wall 7 of the second protective element 5 have cavities communicating with each other to obtain an L-shaped containment seat 99. In addition, the fourth edge 85 of the upper wall 8 and the second lateral edge 75 of the second lateral wall 7 are provided with openings communicating with each other and with the cavities to obtain a substantially L-shaped inlet opening 19.

With reference to the version shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 , the L-shaped stiffening profiles may also be arranged between the internal surfaces of the lateral walls of each element 1, 5 and the edges of the load units U.

For this purpose, the lateral walls 2, 3 of the first protective element may have decreases in thickness along the vertical to make an abutment surface 20 a, 30 a, which defines the seat 10 to receive the L-shaped stiffening profiles.

Alternatively, the lateral walls 2, 3 may have notched elements or knurling so as to obtain the abutment surface 20 a, 30 a, which defines the seat 10 to receive the stiffening profiles L.

In detail, each lateral wall 2, 3, of the first protective element 1 has two portions: a first, innermost portion 20 b, 30 b, extending from the first lateral edge 24, 34, outwardly as far as the abutment surface 20 a, 30 a, and a second portion 20 c, 30 c, comprised between the abutment surface 20 a, 30 a, and the second lateral edge 25, 35. Conveniently, the thickness of the first portion 20 b, 30 b, is less than the thickness of the second portion 20 c, 30 c, so that the abutment surface 20 a, 30 a, obtained by the decrease in thickness, faces the internal surface of the other lateral wall to define the seat 10 adapted to receive the L-shaped stiffening profiles.

In order to effectively align the upper load unit U on the lower load unit U, it is convenient to associate a protective device D with each corner of the load unit U. As shown in FIG. 1 , each protective device D effectively creates an alignment guide for each load unit U that is to be stored on top of an underlying unit.

Furthermore, again with reference to the example in FIG. 1 , the spacers D can be connected together by means of straps to reinforce the structure comprising several spacers D made around the load unit U.

For this purpose, the protective device D comprises one or more openings 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, 16 a obtained in the lateral walls 2, 3, 6, 7 to receive the straps. In detail, at the four apices 13, 14, 15, 16 of the lateral walls 2, 3, 6, 7 there is a respective opening 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, 16 a adapted to receive a connecting strap or tape between several spacers D. Preferably, each opening 13 a, 14 a, 15 a, 16 a is formed diagonally so that the received strap may extend along the diagonal of the load unit U to connect between two spacers D positioned at opposite angles.

In one embodiment, each apex 13, 14, 15, 16 is cut in a step fashion so that the strap can wind around each apex 13, 14, 15, 16 and to bind to the protective device D.

Conveniently, the upper element 1 also comprises two slots 17, 18 to receive an additional horizontally extendable strap around the load unit U.

The slots 17, 18 are obtained on the lateral walls 2, 3 in the proximity of the lower apex 11 so that the strap, by passing through the slots 17, 18, horizontally connects two spacers D positioned at opposite angles.

In other words, the fact that the strap, by passing through the slots 17, 18 horizontally connects two spacers D positioned at opposite angles makes it possible to reduce the torsions generated by the movement of the spacers themselves.

Similarly, the lower element 5 comprises two slots 52, 53 that are completely similar to the slots 17, 18 of the upper element 1 to receive a strap arranged horizontally along the sidewalls of the load unit U.

It should be noted that in the context of the present disclosure, the term “slot” relates to guides provided with an abutment edge, recesses or non-through slots. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of protective elements 1, 5 of the protective device D, each of which can be associated with a corner of the load unit U, may be provided in order to make a protective structure to protect the corners of the load unit U. The protective elements 1, 5 may be connected to each other by means of straps, as previously described, to strengthen the protective structure.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, it is possible to arrange an individual protective element 1, 5 associable with the individual load unit U and comprising the first wall 2, 6, the second wall 3, 7 and the third wall 4, 8 orthogonal to each other to form the angular seat 10, 50 to house a corner of the load unit itself.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular the fact is emphasized that by means of the protective device, it is possible to make alignment guides for load units intended to facilitate the movement and storage operations and to allow a stable arrangement of the load units one on top of the other. 

1) A protective device associable with a first load unit and/or with a second load unit intended to be stored on top of each other, the protective device comprising: a first protective element associable with said first load unit including a first lateral wall provided with an internal surface intended to be positioned against a sidewall of said first load unit; and a second protective element associable with said second load unit including a first lateral wall provided with an internal surface, and an upper wall provided with a lower surface orthogonal and contiguous to said internal surface of said first lateral wall, said surfaces creating a seat intended to be positioned at an edge of said second load unit wherein said first and second protective elements are usable in combination in a work configuration wherein: said internal surface of said first lateral wall of said first protective element and said internal surface of said first lateral wall of said second protective element are arranged in the same plane and adhere at least partly to said sidewall of said first load unit and to said sidewall of said second load unit respectively, and wherein said upper wall of said second protective element is intended to be placed between the bottom of said first load unit and the upper side of said second load unit order to separate said load units at least partly from each other. 2) The protective device according to claim 1, wherein said second protective element includes a second lateral wall substantially orthogonal to said first lateral wall and to said upper wall so that said seat is intended to be positioned at an upper corner of said second load unit, and wherein, in said work configuration, the internal surface of said second lateral wall of said second protective element is intended to adhere to a sidewall of said second load unit. 3) The protective device according to claim 1, wherein said first protective element includes a second lateral wall substantially orthogonal to said first lateral wall so as to create a seat intended to be positioned at a lower corner of said first load unit, and wherein, in said work configuration, the internal surface of said second lateral wall of said first protective element is intended to adhere to a sidewall of said first load unit, said internal surface and said internal surface being arranged in the same plane. 4) The protective device according to claim 3, wherein said first protective element comprises a lower wall substantially orthogonal to said first lateral wall and to said second lateral wall, and wherein, in said work configuration, said lower wall of said first protective element is intended to be positioned between the bottom of said first load unit and the upper wall of said second protective element. 5) The protective device according to claim 4, wherein said walls of said first protective element have a common lower apex and that said walls of said second protective element have a common upper apex, said apexes being at least partly joined at a point of union so that said first protective element and said second protective element can mutually rotate with respect to each other around said point of union. 6) The protective device according to claim 3, wherein said second lateral wall of said first protective element has a lower edge joined to the upper edge of said second lateral wall of said second protective element so that said second wall can rotate around an axis passing through said edges, wherein said first lateral wall of said first protective element has a lower edge joined to the upper edge of said first lateral wall of said second protective element so that said first lateral wall can rotate around an axis passing through said edges. 7) The protective device according to claim 4, wherein said lower wall of said first protective element includes two portions separate from each other, wherein said first portion of said lower wall is joined to said lower edge of said first lateral wall of said first protective element, wherein said second portion of said lower wall joined to said lower edge of said second lateral wall of said first protective element, and wherein, in said work configuration, said first portion and said second portion of said lower wall of said first protective element are arranged in the same plane and intended to be placed between the bottom of said first load unit and said upper wall of said second protective element. 8) The protective device according to claim 1, further comprising: connecting means to connect said first element and said second element to each other in a removable manner. 9) The protective device according to claim 8, wherein said connecting means comprise at least one centering tooth obtained on one of either said first protective element or said second protective element, and at least one housing seat obtained on the other of either said first protective element or said second protective element and wherein said centering tooth insertable by interlocking. 10) The protective device according to claim 9, wherein said centering tooth is obtained on one of either said lower wall of said first protective element or said upper wall of said second protective element and said housing seat of said centering tooth is obtained on the other of either said lower wall of said first protective element said upper wall of said second protective element. 11) The protective device according to claim 9, wherein said centering tooth is arranged substantially transverse to said lateral walls of said one of either said first protective element or said second protective element and lies in a median plane passing through one of either said first protective element or said second protective element to define an upper portion and a lower portion respect to said centering tooth. 12) The protective device according to claim 11, wherein one of either said upper portion or said lower portion is adapted to adhere in abutting way to the sidewall of one of said load units and the other of either said upper portion or said lower portion is adapted to adhere in abutting way to the other of either said first protective element or said second protective element. 13) The protective device according to claim 9, wherein said connecting means including: at least one pair of lateral teeth arranged opposite each other, said centering tooth being arranged centrally with respect to said lateral teeth, and a pair of lateral seats arranged opposite each other, said housing seat being arranged centrally with respect to said lateral seats; wherein each of said lateral teeth being configured to fit substantially to size in a respective said lateral seat to achieve a shape coupling between them. 14) The protective device according to claim 13, wherein said centering tooth obtained at the corner defined by the union of said lateral walls of at least one of either said first protective element or said second protective element and said pair of lateral teeth being obtained on one of said lateral walls respectively. 15) The protective device according to claim 2, further comprising: one or more openings made in said lateral walls to receive a connecting strap between several spacers. 16) The protective device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of either said first protective element or said second protective element includes at least one supporting element associated externally with said one of either said upper portion or said lower portion and adapted to receive said connecting strap to constrain said connecting strap to one of either said upper portion or said lower portion. 17) The protective device according to claim 16, wherein said supporting element is at least partly obtained on said corner to divert said connecting strap between two directions parallel to said lateral walls. 18) The protective device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said lateral walls of at least one of said protective elements includes at least one containment seat adapted to receive a stiffening profile of one of said load units. 19) A protective element associable with an individual load unit comprising: a first wall, a second wall and a third wall to each other to form an angular seat to house a corner of said load unit. 20) An assembly kit for the protection of a load unit, the assembly kit comprising just one protective element according to claim
 19. 21) An assembly kit for the protection of one or more load units, the assembly kit comprising a plurality of protective elements according to claim
 19. 22) An kit according to claim 21, further comprising: a plurality of tapes for the connection and fixing of said protective elements to each other around one or more load units. 